By Giddings H.R. No. 1001 74R12485 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, June 16, 1995, marks the annual observation of the 1-2 Day of the African Child, an event created to honor the memory of 1-3 the children of Soweto, South Africa, who lost their lives on that 1-4 date in 1976 in the pursuit of freedom for themselves and their 1-5 people; and 1-6 WHEREAS, First observed in 1991, the Day of the African Child 1-7 has as its focus the improvement of conditions for all children on 1-8 that immense continent and it also serves as a forum to celebrate 1-9 Africa's diverse cultures and traditions and dispel prevailing 1-10 myths about conditions there; and 1-11 WHEREAS, This event is commemorated in countries across the 1-12 globe and includes festivals, education workshops on the rights of 1-13 children, art exhibitions, and radio and television statements of 1-14 support from Africa's governments in behalf of this worthy cause; 1-15 and 1-16 WHEREAS, To address the vital issue of children's health and 1-17 safety, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was drafted and, 1-18 as of January 1994, this international treaty guaranteeing 1-19 children's basic human rights has been ratified by more than 35 1-20 African nations; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Other exceptional strides made by African nations in 1-22 recent times include an increased life expectancy, better and more 1-23 modern facilities for access to water and sanitation, and a greatly 1-24 improved educational system; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Children are our planet's most precious resource, 2-2 for they truly hold the future in their hands, and it is the 2-3 responsibility of all adults to shield them from the forces of 2-4 violence, illness, and instability that threaten to destroy their 2-5 innocence and even take away their lives; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The Day of the African Child provides a unique 2-7 opportunity for the world community to better see and understand 2-8 Africa's achievements, its challenges, and the children who 2-9 represent its future, and the commemoration of this notable day is 2-10 truly worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be 2-11 it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby recognize June 16, 1995, as the Day of the 2-14 African Child and encourage all Texans to dedicate their efforts to 2-15 creating a brighter future for all the world's children on the 2-16 occasion of this globally significant event.